Every state except North Dakota requires citizens to register if they want to vote in state and federal elections. In North Dakota, eligible citizens can simply appear at the polls with the required identification and be permitted to vote.

Depending on the state, the voter registration deadline could be as much as a month before an election. Each state has its own voting and election laws, including when and how to register to vote. In many states registration may be completed online. A citizen may also register at the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), at the local elections office, or through a voter registration organization.

Voter registration laws are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the elections code.

In New Jersey, citizens are required to register to vote in state and federal elections. The state allows for various methods of registration, including online through the official state website, in person at the county commissioner of registration or Superintendent of Elections office, or by mailing a voter registration application. New Jersey also offers the opportunity to register to vote at the DMV while applying for or renewing a driver's license or non-driver identification card. The deadline to register to vote in New Jersey is 21 days before an election. The state's voter registration laws can be found in the New Jersey Statutes, specifically within Title 19, which governs elections. It is important for citizens to provide the necessary identification and meet all eligibility requirements to successfully register to vote.